Tonight’s showdown between the Chiefs and Chargers is one of the best matchups all week. Los Angeles sits one game behind Kansas City in the AFC West, and both teams rank top five in scoring. With playoff seeding on the line, expect a hard-fought battle between two of the most talented teams in the league.
Each week I sift through the schedule to find the best and worst matchups in fantasy football. I chose two quarterbacks, two tight ends and two defenses to start, along with three running backs and three receivers. I then find the same number at each position to sit and detail the reasons why.
Any players from the Thursday game that make the list are featured in this standalone article. The rest of the list is released on Saturday so to advise you with the most up-to-date information available.
I make these suggestions based on each player’s weekly matchups, surrounding talent and in-game usage. While predicting the future is anything but easy, using these tools can help us make better choices when determining which players we start or sit from week to week.
Let me remind you that these lists consist of players who aren’t obvious. I shouldn’t have to tell you to start super stars like Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, Keenan Allen and Melvin Gordon (if healthy). This article revolves around players who haven’t yet reached “stud” status, and thus require weekly consideration for your lineup.
For more help with your lineup check out The Wolf’s weekly rankings.
Start ‘Em
Quarterback
Philip Rivers:
I’m giving Rivers another chance after he burned me last week. The 37-year-old logged his best fantasy performance of the year against the Chiefs in week one, throwing for 424 yards and three touchdowns. Kansas City leads the league in points per game (36.2) and has given up the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks. The Chargers will rely heavily on Rivers in what’s shaping up to be a fantasy-friendly shootout.
Running Back
Justin Jackson:
If Melvin Gordon is able to play, Jackson should obviously be relegated to your bench. In the scenario that Gordon doesn’t to suit up, Jackson’s outlook shines bright. With Austin Ekeler out, Jackson would have the backfield work all to himself. The rookie has averaged 5.1 yards per carry on his 27 attempts this season and is facing a Chiefs defense that has allowed the second-most yards per carry (5.0). Only the Bengals have surrendered more fantasy points (PPR) to opposing running backs than K.C.
Check back on Saturday for the full slate of Start/Sits
